Hartford Public Library has been awarded a grant to host the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read in partnership with Arts Midwest. The NEA Big Read is a dynamic, citywide reading initiative that promotes community connection through literature.

 

HPL’s Big Read will center around Bite by Bite by acclaimed author Aimee Nezhukumatathil, a vibrant and thoughtful exploration of food, nature, and cultural identity. To engage readers of all ages, the Library will also feature the companion children’s book Anni Dreams of Biryani by Namita Moolani Mehra and Chaaya Prabhat.

 

For more information and to view the full program list please click here.

Anni’s on a mission to YUM!

 

The café across the street from Anni’s home in Little India makes the best biryani in the world. Fluffy and fragrant, spicy and succulent―Anni could eat it every day. In fact, Anni loves that biryani so much that she’s determined to uncover the secret to the recipe. She has so many questions for Uncle, the grumpy chef and café owner. But he isn’t providing any easy clues. So, with some careful planning, Anni sets out on a mission to find out the secret ingredients to this most special dish. Will Anni get the answers she’s looking for…before it’s too late?